Crew Chronicles: Linda Florin – Photographer, videographer & social media manager

Jan 12, 2026   »   interview   »   U2512

text: Kiss Daniella   
»   photo: Linda Florin

Crew Chronicles pulls back the curtain on the people working behind the scenes – the crew who make every show happen. Their stories reveal their craft, the challenges as well as high points of touring, and the real life that unfolds beyond the stage. Would you introduce yourself and tell us what your role is in the music industry? „My name is Linda, and I work as a content creator in the music industry. I do photography and videography, and I also work as a social media manager. I run a couple of bands’ social media channels and create all the content that appears there, and I also shoot press photos and music videos. I currently work with bands such as Hammerfall, Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect, and Dirkschneider, just to name a few. With some of them, I focus only on creating content, while with others I also manage their social media channels. Right now, I am on tour with Katatonia and Marko Hietala, so my schedule is full, but in the best possible way.” How did you first get involved in the industry? „I first got involved in music when I was around twelve or thirteen. I had a little punk band, even though I couldn’t play at all, but that was when I discovered metal and nu-metal and really connected with the music. Not long after that I found photography. In school, a friend and I started putting on shows so I could photograph them, and I even created my own website so I could apply for photo passes to bigger shows, including Metaltown Festival in Gothenburg, which helped me build my portfolio. Along the way I also studied marketing, content management, music, and social media, which helped me develop my skills further. After finishing school I moved to Stockholm, where I worked for established music websites and eventually began working directly with bands. My first real band was Syra, which came through friends of friends who gave me the chance to prove myself. From there everything grew naturally. The industry is small, so once people see your work, word spreads quickly through labels, booking agencies, and recommendations. By nineteen I was already photographing bigger acts like Deathstars, and since then it has snowballed into touring with bands like The Halo Effect, Pain, Erik Schneider, Hammerfall, Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquillity, Beast in Black, U.D.O., Katatonia, and many more.” What does a typical day on tour look like for you? „A typical day on tour really depends on how much content the band wants. Some days I’m shooting bits from soundcheck or backstage, depending on the venue and what they need. Other days we might explore the city a little, but it varies from band to band. This morning, for example, I finished editing yesterday’s recap video and sent it off. After that I handled my social media work, answered messages, and worked on marketing plans, which is usually easier to do before showtime. During the show I photograph and film, then head straight to the bus, because we usually have early bus calls. I edit on the bus until around three in the morning, then go to bed, sleep, wake up, and start again. Coffee and Red Bulls keep everything going. I do try to make time for myself. I take what I call my “stupid mental health walks,” usually about an hour, though I don’t always manage it. I’ll sometimes do a bit of yoga or a small workout, and I try to catch up with friends while I’m out walking.” What’s one thing you wish more people understood about your job? „I wish people understood how hard this job actually is. From the outside it looks like I’m just taking photos, but there’s so much more to it than holding a camera. People don’t see the hours of work that happen after a show. For example, last night’s show ended at eleven, then I edited until three-thirty in the morning, which is a normal day. On the Dark Tranquillity tour, I was working with them and their support band, so it was double the workload, and we were also filming a music video. We had nineteen shows in nineteen days with no days off. It was intense. Touring is not only physically demanding, but it’s also mentally draining. You’re constantly on the move, surrounded by crowds, lights, and noise, and every day you’re walking into a new venue and a new environment, which can really wear you down. I feel the exhaustion right up until I touch the camera again, then I’m completely in the moment. Still, sometimes coming home is actually harder, because suddenly the routine and structure are gone. Post-tour depression is very real, and honestly the best cure is having another tour lined up soon. I’ve never been someone who can just do nothing. Even when I had a day job and did photography on the side, I spent my vacation days working. I love what I do, and that passion carries me through all the hardships.” Touring can still be pretty male-dominated. Have you ever felt that being a woman on the road made things harder or different in any way? „As a woman you often have to prove yourself before you are fully accepted. It is still a very male-dominated business, and in some situations you really notice it, especially with security at certain venues. I’ve had moments where people assumed I was someone’s girlfriend rather than part of the crew. At one show a security guard tried to kick me out of the photo pit even though I had all my laminates and gear, and we argued until one of the guitar players stepped in and told him I was staying. If I had been a guy, that probably wouldn’t have happened. Crowds can be difficult too, especially when you are squeezing through tight spaces with a lot of gear and people think it is fine to touch you as you pass by. Most of the time it is still mainly men out there, so things like that do happen. That said, things are changing. There are more women in the industry now, and people’s mindsets are shifting. I see a big difference compared to even a few years ago. For example, on the Beast in Black and Helloween tour there were quite a few of us, and that was really nice.” On a lighter note, do you have a favorite or funny memory from tour? „There have been plenty of fun moments along the way. When I was out with The Halo Effect, we once rented a beer bicycle and rode around the city while the guys from the band and some of the crew drank beer, and we had such a great time. On another tour with Beast in Black, Yannis, the singer, and I spent a day going around to different perfume stores because he really loves perfume, and that was a lot of fun too. But what I love most is the family feeling. Every band and crew ends up becoming a little family, because you live so close together and spend almost all your time with each other. I have spent countless nights on the bus editing while also headbanging to my favorite Korn and nu-metal songs with the crew and having the best time. After evenings like that my neck is always so sore. I honestly still do not understand how musicians can headbang that much.” (laughs) What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do? „Believe in yourself. It took me a long time to really believe in what I was doing, because it is so easy to doubt yourself when there are so many great people out there. But you also have to see the value in what you do, so you can actually make money from it and not end up working for free. Most importantly, just get started. If you do not know how, talk to local clubs or youth centers. I started at youth centers, then moved on to pub shows. We all start somewhere. I did not know anyone when I started, but once you take that first step and keep showing up, things start to grow.” Speaking of advice, what are your three must-haves to survive a long tour? „My must-haves are pretty simple. First of all, my gear — my camera and computer, basically everything I need for work. Second, Red Bull, or caffeine in any form. And lastly, snacks or protein bars, because I have allergies, so I cannot always rely on venue catering.” Finally, what’s next for you, and what would be your dream tour? „As for the future, I definitely want to keep doing what I do now as a content creator, photographer, videographer, and social media manager. I’m always looking to improve, because things are changing all the time. There are constantly new technologies and new ways of working, so I try to stay up to date and keep experimenting with new approaches. My absolute dream tour would be with Korn. They’ve been my favorite band since I was around twelve or thirteen, and working with them is my biggest goal. That would honestly feel like a peak experience for me. That being said, I don’t know what I would aim for after that, because I always need something to strive toward, and if that ever happens, I’d probably have no idea what to do next. (laughs) Hopefully it happens one day.”

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